BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Nearly all parties to the Convention are users of fossil fuels, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev told reporters on the sidelines of the COP29 conference, Trend reports.
He pointed out that nearly all states, except for Switzerland, are involved in the production of fossil fuels to a certain capacity.
Hajiyev emphasized that while one aspect of the issue is frequently addressed, the opposing side remains largely overlooked.
"In the context of fossil fuels, there is an intrinsic relationship between supply and demand; where supply is abundant, there will invariably be a corresponding demand. Nearly all signatories to the Convention are consumers of fossil fuels. This situation underscores a persistent trend of populist rhetoric," he added.
The official highlighted that the realities of today's world demand practical solutions and acknowledged that fossil fuels remain a vital component of our current energy landscape.
“The negative impact on the climate is an undeniable reality. Addressing this challenge requires collaborative action rather than superficial discussions that lack substance. Historically, the countries that have hosted the COP conferences have been significant fossil fuel producers.
For instance, Poland, where the COP was held in Katowice before us, is among the world’s top coal producers. Similarly, the conference was hosted in the UK, where Glasgow remains a leading center for coal production. We must shift our focus toward constructive dialogue that prioritizes actionable solutions rather than engaging in mutual accusations," Hajiyev said.
To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for “Conference of Parties” and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
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